TackleTester Posted April 27, 2005 Report Share Posted April 27, 2005 After making crankbaits and topwaters for wuite a while now, I figure it's time to try my luck at pouring my own plastics. I have looked through all of the tutorials and previous posts until the point of exhaustion and unfortunately am still confused at what supplies I will need. For the purposes of this post, let's just say that money is not important at this point. I do not want to do this halfway if you know what I mean. I am going to go big or go home :-D :grin: If someone would be kind enough to give me a list of the best supplies I can purchase to begin my pours, I will be forever in your debt. I am very anxious to get pouring for several reasons. First, I just love catching fish on lures I made...it is so much more exhilarating......Second, I would like to eventually make a business out fo my soft plastics. Lastly, I am always thinking of new colors schemes that would be better for MY specific area. So any help, anyone can give me would be great. Like I said previously, I want to go big or go home. BTW< I need to know every little thing to buy b/c you guys have me thoroughly confused :-D :grin: :oops: ..... Finally, FREE BAITS TO ANYONE WHO REPLIES TO THE POST ONCE I START POURING.......lol.....MAYBE SOME INCENTIVE WILL GET MORE POSTS.,.....lol Thanks in advance guys.....This is just an awesome site and I am glad to be a part of it. Catch em up Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsac Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 Where you buy from is up to you http://www.del-mart.com/ http://www.lurecraft.com/catalog.htm http://www.fishingworld.com/M-F-Manufacturing/ If you're as serious as you say, and money isn't an issue, then buy a 55 gallon drum of plastic. If you don't have any way to move or store it, then buy in 5 gallon drums. Super soft formula. Buy your color in 2 oz bottles or bigger. Buy the flake in 2 oz or bigger. Molds of your choice Color: Red Blue Black Brown Purple Green Watermelon Motor Oil Pumpkin Signal Green Orange Yellow White Amber Brown Lime Green Electric Blue Black Grape Fluorescent Yellow Pearl White All hi lite colors Glitter: All sizes .008 .015 .035 .062 As many colors as possible. Make sure to get: Blue Green Red Silver Gold Holo Silver Purple Orange Black 1 quart each: Hardener Softener Heat stabilizer Worm oil Big bag of extra fine salt Scent of your choice. You can get it from one of the suppliers above, or use a scent that you already have confidence in that's on the market. Now, you're also going to need packaging supplies. Worm proof ziplock bags, preferrably 4 mil. Labels or card stock tops. Your choice. Heating: Microwave and pyrex or burner and pans. Your choice. Most are using microwave. Some use both. Metal stirring utensils. Butter knife is fine to start. What else guys : I'm not going into the shop to write down everything I have in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassnG3 Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 About the only thing I think you left out was a quality respirator!! Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsac Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 Ahhh, thank you sir Scott is correct. Buy a good respirator with protection for 'Organic Vapor' (OV). Don't waste your time with the paper masks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TackleTester Posted April 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 Thank you very much Woodac and BassnG3.....Woodsac, I've read a lot of your posts and tutorials, you have a real talent for writing.....Have you ever considered outdoor writing to make some extra cash?......Anyway, appreicate the help.....But.. What is the hardener, softener and heat stabilizer for....Also, can I use a measuring cup to heat the plastic with?....and Can I use Pam for worm oil?.... Also, could you please verify this for me... 1. Pour plastic into pyrex and stir extremely well 2. Heat the plastic in the microwave at 30 intervals until temp is correct. 3. Pour palstic into molds 4. Let set for 2-3 min. 5. Take out and keep straight to not deform the bait. Please, tell me if I am leaving something out...It seems much easier than I thought it would be ....I'm pretty excited. Thank you very much for all of your help...I really owe you one. Catch em up Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsac Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 Thank you very much Woodac and BassnG3.....Woodsac' date=' I've read a lot of your posts and tutorials, you have a real talent for writing.....Have you ever considered outdoor writing to make some extra cash?......Anyway, appreicate the help.....But..Thanks...never gave it any thought :oops: What is the hardener, softener and heat stabilizer for....Also, can I use a measuring cup to heat the plastic with?....and Can I use Pam for worm oil?.... You can avoid buying hardener by buying a salt water or tube formula plastic. For most, plastic right out of the container is not soft enough. So we add softener. The heat stabilizer will help prevent discoloring and scorching of plastic. Pam is fine for a release agent for the molds. Also, could you please verify this for me... 1. Pour plastic into pyrex and stir extremely well Thoroughly mix the plastic BEFORE adding it to the pyrex! Also, add your coloring. Add your glitter just before pouring. 2. Heat the plastic in the microwave at 30 intervals until temp is correct. 3. Pour palstic into molds 4. Let set for 2-3 min. This depends on the thickness of the mold. You can demold some baits in about 1 minute. 5. Take out and keep straight to not deform the bait. Please, tell me if I am leaving something out...It seems much easier than I thought it would be ....I'm pretty excited. Thank you very much for all of your help...I really owe you one. Catch em up Brian Another thing I forgot is a good sharp pair of small scissors to help trim the flash. There is a thread in the archives about the tools that we use to help trim our baits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbasser Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 One thing I like to do with unsalted baits is put them in a tray of cold water. The cold water helps the baits set and they float straight. The reason I don't do it with salted baits is because they will soak up water do to the salt and bloat like senkos do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senkosam Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 With good plastic like Calhoun's, heat stabilizer is not needed. With Lure Crafts plastic, it's almost a must to prevent smoking plastic and drab plastic colors. Using a candy thermometer is a great way to see at what consistency the plastic is for pouring and at what minimum temp. is needed to prevent searing and glitter melt-down/bleed. Pouring temps can be as little as 250 or as much as 320, but consideration must taken for the depth of the mold (two-part) and the number of cavities you want to pour in succession without having to reheat. (Reheating degrades plastic to a small degree, especially after 3 times and color may be altered.) Woodsac covered most supplies needed and you will see immediately that metal molds produce superb looking baits the first time you pour. Well worth the money over a silicone one-pc. in the same bait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TackleTester Posted April 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 ok, I think I am starting to put 2 and 2 together here. So, if I choose to get the Super soft formula from Calhoun's, I don't have to get the heat stabilizer?...And how much softener needs to typically be added to the plastic to make it, say, the softness of a tiki-stick or something fo the smae nature? Just 2 more questions here....1st: How do you pour a plastic bait so that it is round?...soundn't it always be flat on one side?..... 2nd: I stunbled onto lurecraft.com and noticed their selection is far larger and cheaper that Del-Mart's....Is their quality very good?....B/c again, I wan to have the best tools I can.... Again, thank you to everybody for all the help...I am starting to get antzy and am ready to begin pouring. This sounds like a load of fun and can't wait to catch some fish on my pours. Lastly, what do I pour the plastic into for pouring?....is that the pyrex?...and where can I get a pyrex? Thank you very much...Your help is greatly appreciated.....You have made me a very happy camper Sincerely, Brian Dolne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsac Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 So, if I choose to get the Super soft formula from Calhoun's, I don't have to get the heat stabilizer?... I think that's a matter of preference I add heat stabilizer and softener to my Calhoun plastic. How much of each will depend on how much you buy. It will also depend on weather or not you want to add it to the entire batch or just a certain amount at a time. We can cover that when you have your supplies in front of you Lastly, what do I pour the plastic into for pouring?....is that the pyrex?...and where can I get a pyrex? You can get pyrex measuring cups at Wal-Mart. Pick up a couple of 2 cup for multi-colored pours and a 4 cup for single color pours. Just a side note: You'll find that after you have been pouring for a month or so, you'll naturally notice things getting easier and you'll say 'Why didn't I think of that before?' No matter how much instruction we give you here, you'll have to learn some of things from trial and error. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TackleTester Posted April 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 Awesome, thanks again...i think I will be able to get the money together in a month or so. Thanks again for the help....Anyone else, feel free to reply with your words of wisdom as well.....I'll take all the help I can get.... Have a good one guys!!!! Thanks again, Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madbass Posted April 29, 2005 Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 First off, THE most important thing to do each time you go to pour is STIR the plastic thoroughly. I believe Del recommends 2 minutes with a drill paint mixer. The plastic does seperate somewhat into 2 parts. Woodsac mentioned 2 and 4 cup Pyrex cups. Those are fine if you are pouring more than 15 or so baits. I prefer to use a 1 cup Pyrex most of the time, especially when experimenting. I also use Dels aluminum 2 part stick bait molds and they work great. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB GONE Posted April 29, 2005 Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 Brian: Go for aluminum molds from Bob or Delw. LC's molds are nice but you will have great results out of the gate!!! I would also go with Madbass on the pyrex cups. Even when I'm pouring an order of 20, I use my 1 cup. I have a 2 cup pyrex but never use it. The plastic seems to cool faster and take a little longer to heat also. Guess it has something to do with the amount of liquid in the size of the container. Also, most wally worlds around here just have the Anchor Hocking glass cups..They work fine as a matter of fact I have grown to like them better than my pyrex. If you look in the picture area at baits from bass8baits, he (Javier) pours strictly from the Anchor Hocking cups. Thats my 2 cents...+ practice, practice, practice and write down your color formulas as you make them..They can be hard to remember a week or 2 later!!!! Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TackleTester Posted April 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 Awesome, some more great help......I just have one last question for the time being....I keep hearing of Bob's molds, but can't find a link to his site.....Could someone hook me up with an addy to his site so I can check out some of his molds?...Thanks in advance Catch em up Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsac Posted April 30, 2005 Report Share Posted April 30, 2005 http://www.bobstackleshack.com/catalog/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
